Table Saw Router Fence w/ Vacuum, Feather Boards and Miter Slot

Hey guys and gals. I have a similar project to this with a Ridgid contractor saw, but I always felt like I should share my creation on my Grizzly cabinet saw.

I got this G1023SLWX 5hp table saw with router wing on Craigs List about two years ago. I always wanted a cast iron saw and router wing and finally got it. The problem was the missing fence and miter track. Why Grizzly makes no accommodations for a miter slot I do not know.

I made the fence based on a project in Popular Woodworking. Here is the exploded diagram. The main base of the fence is simply MDF, while the fence faces are some fun quilted/sapwood hard maple I found at HD. The plans allow vacuum from the back of the fence (picture 2) and a spot for some tools on the front of the fence (picture 3). The fence faces are adjustable to fit different router bits. The vacuum works great. I threaded a 90 degree piece of PVC sink pipe into the fence. Two built in feather boards add control, while the magnetic feather board from Ridgid ($10 cheaper than Magswitch from woodworking outfits) is awesome.

The Grizzly router wing does not have a miter slot. I guess you could use the right slot on the table saw, but it’s pretty far away. All I did was to notch the fence rails on the saw to add an aftermarket miter track. The piece of track was inset into a block of hard maple I created to give it some support. I didn’t want it to stick out much, so it’s just enough to support a miter gauge.

I did also add the on/off switch under the saw for my router. This makes it easier to turn it on and off at the same time as the shop vac. I was unwilling to pay $40 for a switched outlet from a woodworking dealer.

So there you have it. Nothing groundbreaking, but maybe helpful to those out there with a similar setup to me.

Great minds must think alike! I did the same thing on my powermatic (Take a look at my projects) The guides just werent long enough to say, rout the edges of a cabint door. So, i extended them with maple. Yours, however, is about a notch above mine. Looks more heavy and stable. Guess i have to go back and do it over now!

Dust collection works great. Obviously if the bit is farther from the fence or if you’re routing a dado it doesn’t help much. I have toyed with other ways to collect dust from below the router. My designs have been cumbersome and end up not in use. The best would be a cabinet under the wing with dust collection built in.